I was watching an armour build on YouTube and the modeler said that he uses Loctite CA glue as he finds it better and ‘stronger’ than other CA glues when attaching photoetch parts. I had assumed all CA glues were the same.
Is Loctite CA glue any better than Zap a Gap (the CA glue I use and purchase at my LHS) Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Hi;
For a straight forward answer. I use Bob Smith Industries "Insta-Cure’ It comes in thin, medium and thick.
I have used it for years with no problems. I have used Loc-Tite Gel for specific items, But the aforemention is the brand I mainly use. I buy it in the refillable bottles and those are 2oz.
With them also you can get new tops, nozzles and tapered tip applicators.
Different recipes have different thicknesses and drying times. There’s no universal best and I usually have a selection on hand. If I want to repose a part as the glue dries I find gorilla does that well, but if I need a thinner join or a faster join I use loctite. As long as you apply a decent amount any CA glue is going to hold pieces equally strong, by the time you’re breaking the bond you’re damaging the part to make it happen with all of them.
If you’re curious about loctite get a bottle, they’re like £2 each on ebay, including delivery. I would go for the normal stuff over the gel in the plastic shell, but both have their uses.
Can’t say about strength, but in my experience Loctite CA glues stay usable longer than others I’ve used, including the Bob Smith and the original Super Glue brands. My two cents!
I agree. The unique factor is that the container has a flexible bladder itside. I think that eliminates most of the air re-entering and hardening the glue before the tube is empty. And it is good glue. I mostly use the thick “gel” version for most things that don’t fit real well, their thin regular CA for where you have a perfect fit. Another thing I like is that I can get it at my local hardware store and don’t have to pay hobby shop prices.
I use the Gorilla Glue CA. Works great for me. Their bottles also have a specialy designed cap that keeps it from thickening for very long periods of time. In fact, I had one bottle last me about 8 yrs before it started to get thick on me. Readily available in most hardware stores. Certainly another option.
The biggest difference I ever found between the brands is the container. I agree with others here that the container is the biggest differentiator among CAs. The containers from some producers like Loktite and Gorilla keep the glue better than others. I also use a professional brand from Dental Associates that is used in building and repairing dentures and bridges. It is hard to find but comes in an exclusive syringe design with a threaded plunger and soft, fine gauge Teflon tip that allows precise application and keeps air from getting in to the syringe. It isn’t cheap but there is a lot in it and the syringe design keeps it from going bad. Also the gel version sets to a glass hard polishable surface.